How to Avoid and Remove Stains in Granite Countertops

Now that you have brand new granite countertops, how do you keep them looking their best? Fortunately, granite is very durable - it is a rock after all. However, it is not completely impervious and can acquire stains that you will surely want to eliminate.

Since you will be preparing food on your countertops, it is important to keep the surfaces clean. There are a couple approaches you can take. The most straightforward is to purchase a cleaner specifically designed for granite at your local home improvement store. If you don't want to spend the extra money, you can create your own mixture with dishwashing soap and warm water. Use a cloth to clean the countertops and then be sure to rinse with clean water.

After cleaning you might find that you have a stain of some sort that is not coming up with your general cleaner. Do not despair, these stains can generally be taken up using specific compounds.

If you have an oil based stain such as grease, mix up a paste with flour or molding plaster and hydrogen peroxide. Spread the mixture over the stain, cover with plastic wrap and allow it to sit overnight. Scrape the paste off the countertop and inspect. It might be necessary address the stain a second night if it is deep in the stone.

For organic stains like coffee or tea, mix a 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide with a drop or two of ammonia. Rub on the granite until the stain is gone.

Ink or marker can be removed with acetone. Apply the acetone to a clean cloth and rub in circular motions on the ink until it is removed. Acetone can be purchased at a hardware or home improvement store. A word of caution - be sure to wear gloves when handling acetone as it can be absorbed into the skin.

If you have a stubborn stain, do not resort to acid based cleaners or scouring products. These products can etch or otherwise mar the surface of your countertops. Items that fall into these categories are bathroom and tile cleaners. You will be way ahead if you call a professional to remove the stain rather than experimenting with different cleaners.

Be sure to seal your countertops every one to two years. This will help prevent stains from occurring in the first place. You will need to reseal your countertops when drops of water fail to bead on the surface of the countertop.

With these procedures and methods you are equipped to keep your countertops looking great for years to come. Happy cooking!